Monday, May 12, 2014

Essence by Lisa Ann O'Kane - Ashley's Pre-Reading

*I received this book as an eARC from Angry Robot/Strange Chemistry on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodreadsTitle: EssenceAuthor: Lisa Ann O'KanePublication Date: June 3, 2014Synopsis: Neutrality is the key to longevity.This motto has governed 16-year-old Autumn’s life in the mid-21st-century Centrist cult, which believes that expressing emotions leads to Essence drain and premature death.But Autumn’s younger brother’s death casts her faith into question. While sprinting through a park in violation of Centrist teachings, she encounters Ryder Stone, an Outsider who claims Essence drain is nothing more than a Centrist scare tactic. She agrees to join his Community, a utopia of adrenaline junkies living in the abandoned remains of Yosemite National Park.Autumn learns about sex, drugs, and living life to the fullest. But as she discovers dark secrets beneath the Community’s perfect exterior, she realises that this illusion of paradise could be shattered…Why?: How could you not want to read this book after that synopsis? A cult that believes that neutrality is the key to longevity, Yosemite National Park, secrets, and mysteries? Definitely count me in! It sounds like it will be gorgeous and exciting, and I can't wait to dive into Autumn's life! Expectations: I kind of have really high expectations for this book even though I've never even read anything by Lisa or even really a book like this one. I think the synopsis makes it sound great, and that's enough reason for me to have such high expectations. Judging a book by its cover: I love this cover! I like how it reflects the neutrality that the Centrist cult believes so deeply in, and I love the integration of nature/Yellowstone. I also like the girl slacklining across that valley, because that's incredibly terrifying for me just to think about and not at all something that would encourage a lack of emotions. I would definitely pick this book up off the shelf based on the cover alone.Also, be sure to check back in at the end of the month - we'll have Lisa's Essence Playlist for you as part of the pre-release blog tour! --Ashley